Tag: war against russia

  • Russia is amassing forces to occupy land up to Kyiv’s outskirts – media

    Russia is amassing forces to occupy land up to Kyiv’s outskirts – media

    Ukrainian and Russian delegations are trying to discuss options for ending the war.

    At the same time, Russia is amassing forces for a new offensive against Ukraine. Two US officials with knowledge of the latest US assessments told CNN.

    The attack could be focused on eastern Ukraine. One of the officials explained that Russian commanders are ‘looking to build a large force’.

    ‘Putin will try to seize any land he can get, up to the outskirts of Kyiv. The Russians will make every effort to get everything they can,’ said the second US official.

    The Russian invaders will try to implement these plans against the backdrop of Ukraine’s military shortage. US assessments suggest that it is Ukrainian drones and the effectiveness of minefields that are still holding back Russian troops, despite Russia’s significant manpower advantage, both in eastern Ukraine and in Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops still hold a foothold.

    Russia is also having difficulty amassing the forces it wants as the two sides continue their gruelling and deadly war of attrition in eastern Ukraine. One U.S. official noted that there is no indication that North Korea is currently able to significantly increase its troop levels in Ukraine after losing thousands of soldiers in the fighting.

    According to US assessments, there have been few changes in Russia’s military objectives, including the occupation of most of Ukraine’s territory, despite the fact that the Trump administration has been calling on the Kremlin to adhere to the 30-day ceasefire and begin meaningful peace talks.

    On 7 May, US President Donald Trump said it was time to make a decision on peace in Ukraine.

  • Putin offers direct talks with Ukraine: Macron and Zelensky react

    Putin offers direct talks with Ukraine: Macron and Zelensky react

    On 11 May, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed holding direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul. He said at a press conference that Russia seeks to eliminate the causes of the war in order to achieve peace.

    According to him, the Kremlin has never refused to negotiate. He accused the Ukrainian authorities of disrupting the negotiation process.

    ‘We propose to resume the negotiations they interrupted at the end of 2022,’ the Kremlin leader said.

     

    Following Russia’s offer of talks with Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron insists on a preliminary ceasefire.

    ‘There can be no negotiations while weapons speak. There can be no dialogue while civilians are being bombed,’ Macron wrote on the X service.

    Following a proposal by US President Donald Trump, a 30-day ceasefire was put forward. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accepted it without setting any conditions of his own, Macron wrote.

    ‘Now we expect the same clear answer from Russia,’ he said.

    Zelenskyy viewed the Kremlin’s offer to resume direct talks as a good sign.

    ‘The whole world has been waiting for this for a long time,’ he wrote on social media.

    The first step to ending the war would be to stop fighting, but he insisted on calling for a ceasefire. He said it would be pointless to continue the killing for even one day.

    ‘We expect Russia to confirm the ceasefire – full, lasting and reliable – that comes into force tomorrow, 12 May, and Ukraine is ready to abide by it,’ the Ukrainian leader wrote.

    Meeting of the leaders of the ‘coalition of the willing’ in Kyiv

    On 10 May, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) arrived in Kyiv by train, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Later, the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, joined them.

    They discussed a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire. According to their ideas, this window of opportunity should be used for peace talks with Russia.

    This demand was previously made by US President Donald Trump. Now he is supported by four Europeans.

    At Kyiv’s Independence Square, the E4 team met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife Olena. Here, surrounded by countless grave candles and blue and yellow pennants, they remember the fallen – the number of whom no one knows.

    The goal of the E4 visitors is a 30-day ceasefire to test whether aggressor Vladimir Putin really wants to negotiate peace, if not, politicians will increase the pressure. This historic visit aims to show that E4 is firmly on the side of Ukraine.

    As a reminder, US President Donald Trump said it was time to make a decision on peace in Ukraine.

  • The US Embassy in Kyiv warns of a possible large-scale air attack in the coming days

    The US Embassy in Kyiv warns of a possible large-scale air attack in the coming days

    The United States Embassy in Kyiv says it has received information about a possible large-scale air attack. The strike could take place over the next few days. This is stated on the institution’s website.

    U.S. citizens are advised to be as alert as possible and immediately seek shelter during an air raid alert. No details have been announced.

    As a reminder, a ‘victory parade’ was held in Moscow on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (in Russia – the Great Patriotic War).

     

  • It’s time to make a decision on peace in Ukraine – Trump

    It’s time to make a decision on peace in Ukraine – Trump

    US President Donald Trump commented on the situation regarding the negotiation process to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.

    He said that ‘it’s time to make a decision’ on the Ukrainian settlement. The politician made the statement at the White House.

    So far, he has not announced any additional decisions.

    ‘It’s time to make a decision on peace in Ukraine,’ Trump said.

    The American leader also commented on India’s war against Pakistan, economic tariffs against China, and other issues. Trump also announces that he has just signed a proclamation officially declaring tomorrow, 8 May, ‘Victory Day over Nazism in World War II’.

    The US government now considers Russia’s conditions for ending the war in Ukraine excessive. US Vice President J.D. Vance said that Russia is asking for too much.

     

  • “Russia is asking for too much”: Vance calls Moscow’s conditions for ending war in Ukraine excessive

    “Russia is asking for too much”: Vance calls Moscow’s conditions for ending war in Ukraine excessive

    The US government currently considers Russia’s conditions for ending the war in Ukraine excessive.

    Russia is asking for too much. Vice President of the United States J.D. Vance said this during the Munich Conference on Wednesday, 7 May.

    He believes that the Russian authorities are currently asking for inadequate concessions to end the war in Ukraine.

    ‘The Russians are making a number of demands at this time,’ Vance explained.

    At the same time, the US President Donald Trump’s deputy emphasises that it is important to understand the Kremlin’s opinion.

    ‘You don’t have to agree with Russia’s justification for the war – both the president and I have been very critical of the invasion – but you have to try to understand the other side’s motivation,’ he said.

    The politician noted that he would not say that the Russian side is not interested in resolving the conflict.

    Chaos at Moscow airports due to drone attacks

    Drone attacks caused large-scale air chaos in Russia on 7 May. According to the Russian Travel Association (ATOR), delays, route changes and flight cancellations affected at least 60,000 passengers. In particular, in Moscow, airports reported problems ahead of the planned celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II.

    For example, Sheremetyevo, Russia’s largest airport, had to cancel 40 flights. Another 60 planes that were supposed to land there were diverted to airports hundreds of kilometres away, such as Pulkovo Airport in St Petersburg. At least 50 flights were delayed by at least one hour. According to ATOR, this currently affects 350 flights across Russia.

    Russia accused Ukraine of the strikes. Moscow believes that Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow ‘are acts of terror’. The Kremlin condemns Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow ‘as acts of terror shortly before the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany.’

    ‘The Kyiv regime continues to demonstrate its true nature and propensity for terrorist acts,’ said Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
    Russia is doing everything possible to establish some security for the commemorative events and to withdraw air defence assets. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and other high-ranking representatives of the Third World are expected to attend the celebrations.

    Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine was preparing a new meeting of national security advisers in Kyiv.

  • Russia attacks Kyiv and Ukraine on April 6: casualties, damaged infrastructure

    Russia attacks Kyiv and Ukraine on April 6: casualties, damaged infrastructure

    On April 6, Kyiv was attacked by Russia. As a result of missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital, fires broke out in non-residential buildings in the Obolon, Darnytskyi, and Solomianskyi districts. This was reported by Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko on his Telegram channel.

    Three people were injured in the Darnytskyi district. Eight vehicles were also damaged. Later, the body of the deceased was found.

    In the Obolonsky district, a fire broke out in an office center as a result of the strikes, and the building was partially destroyed. A fire was reported in a furniture shop and a warehouse building in Obolon district. Destruction on the 3rd, 4th and 5th floors of a 5-storey business center.

    In the Solomyansky district, an open-air fire broke out and the facade of a warehouse building caught fire.

    In total, three people in Kyiv were injured in the April 6 attack. Two people were hospitalized.

    The attack on Kyiv region

    In Kyiv region, according to the Telegram channel of the Kyiv regional police, three districts are affected by the attack. In particular, in the

    Brovary district, two buildings of a car repair company were destroyed. A total of seven vehicles and two forklifts were damaged. The facade of the gas station and windows were also damaged.

    In Bucha district, damage to the roof and walls of a house was recorded. The damage was minor.

    A car was damaged in Fastiv district.

    The shelling on April 6 and the consequences for Ukrainian towns and villages

    Strike on Kharkiv region

    Russian aircraft attacked residential areas of Kupyansk in Kharkiv region, according to the State Emergency Service. Fires broke out and there are victims.

    The bomb hit a 9-story building. A fire broke out with a total area of 100 square meters.

    A fire was also reported in another building. Fire was recorded in the outbuildings on the area of 200 square meters.

    Two people were preliminarily injured: A 67-year-old man and a 78-year-old woman.

    Attack on Mykolaiv

    Russian troops also attacked Mykolaiv. According to the State Emergency Service, the attack damaged houses and cars.

    A 30-square-meter fire was reported in one of the buildings, and a gas pipe caught fire in another. Both were extinguished by rescuers.

    Three women were injured in the attack. Specialists from various emergency services were involved in the aftermath of the attack.

    Russia strikes at civilians in Kherson region

    Russian troops attacked Kherson region again. According to Roman Mrochko, the head of the Kherson MVA, in his Telegram channel, Russian terrorists killed a man in the Dniprovsky district. A 59-year-old man sustained fatal injuries.

    Occupants are consistently shelling Kherson, even using frontline UAVs.

    Shelling of Zaporizhzhia region

    During the day, the occupiers struck 449 times at 9 settlements in Zaporizhzhia region. Ivan Fedorov, the head of the JFO, said on his Telegram channel that the occupiers carried out two air strikes on the settlements of Huliaypole and Stepove.

    Stepove, Kamianske, Shcherbaky, Lobkove, Charivne, Gulyaypole, Novodanylivka, Mala Tokmachka and Novodarivka were also attacked by 249 UAVs of various modifications.

    Stepove, Huliaipole and Shcherbaky were attacked by four MLRS attacks.

    Russian troops are actively using artillery in the towns and villages of the region. A total of 194 artillery rounds were fired at Stepove, Lobkove, Kamianske, Gulyaypole, Shcherbaky, Novodanylivka, Charivne, Mala Tokmachka and Novodarivka.

    Strike on Sumy

    Russians also attacked Sumy with drones on April 6. A total of eight “Shaheds” were used against civilian infrastructure. As reported on Facebook, administrative and storage facilities, vehicles and other equipment of one of the enterprises were damaged.

    According to preliminary reports, there were no casualties.

  • Russia attacks Kyiv with drones on March 12

    Russia attacks Kyiv with drones on March 12

    Russian troops continue to shell the Ukrainian capital. On March 12, Kyiv was attacked by drones. This was reported by the KCIA on its Telegram channel.

    The air raid alarm sounded for 1 hour and 4 minutes at night, from 00:45 to 01:49. On the outskirts of the city, 12 enemy UAVs were spotted. A total of five were destroyed by air defense systems, the rest were lost locally or left the airspace.

    Shelling of Ukraine on March 12

    On the night of March 12, 2025, Russian troops fired three Iskander-M ballistic missiles from Crimea at Odesa and Kryvyi Rih. The invaders also attacked with 133 Shahed attack UAVs and imitation drones.

    The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed the downing of 98 Shahed attack UAVs and other types of drones in Kharkiv, Sumy, Poltava, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Ternopil, Khmelnytsky, Vinnytsia, Rivne, Dnipro, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.

    A total of 20 enemy imitator drones were lost locally (without negative consequences). The Russian attack affected Odesa, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Kyiv regions.

  • More than 700 trees destroyed: Russian strike damages environment in Kyiv region (photos)

    More than 700 trees destroyed: Russian strike damages environment in Kyiv region (photos)

    Kyiv was shelled by Russian invaders, but in vain. The capital’s air defence forces repelled the attack.

    Environmental inspectors in the Kyiv region recorded the consequences of the Russian attack on 15 February 2024. The State Ecological Inspectorate of the Capital District published the details on Facebook.

    A huge sinkhole was formed on the territory of the Bucha community as a result of a Russian missile strike. Experts went to the site to record the damage to the environment.

    They found that the sinkhole was 6 metres deep and 14 metres in diameter. As a result of the attack, 700 pine, birch and oak trees under 12 years old were destroyed over an area of 2,000 square metres.

    Environmental inspectors intend to collect all the necessary information to calculate the environmental damage caused by the armed aggression of Russian troops. The extent of the damage will be reported later.

    Shelling of Kyiv and Ukraine on 15 February 2024

    On 15 February, Serhiy Popko, the head of the KIAA, reported on Telegram that enemy missiles were flying at the Ukrainian capital. They came from different directions.

    The air alert in the capital lasted more than 2 hours. The Ukrainian air defence forces successfully destroyed all the missiles.

    Attack on Lviv

    On 15 February, the occupiers also shelled Lviv. According to the mayor of the city Andriy Sadovyi more than 10 missiles were fired at the Lviv region. A kindergarten and two schools were damaged.

    Attack on Lviv
    More than 400 windows were smashed. A total of 18 residential buildings were damaged.

    Shelling of Poltava

    Russian troops attacked Poltava region at night. According to the head of the Poltava Regional Military Administration, Philip Pronin, a warehouse in the Myrhorod district was hit in Telegram. This caused a fire on an area of 100 m². There were no casualties or injuries as a result of the strike.

    Strike on the Dnipro River

    Serhiy Lysak, the head of the Dnipro Regional Military Administration, reported on Telegram that in the morning, air defence forces managed to eliminate two missiles. They landed in Novomoskovsk and Nikopol districts. In Dniprovskyi district, he said, an infrastructure facility was damaged.

    Shelling of Zaporizhzhia

    Traditionally, the Russian invaders shelled Zaporizhzhia, as reported by the secretary of the Zaporizhzhia City Council Anatoliy Kurtev on Telegram. The attack took place in the morning of 15 February. An infrastructure facility came under fire. According to him, four people could have been injured.

    обстріл Запоріжжя Shelling of Zaporizhzhia

    Earlier, the media reported that Bundeswehr generals secretly visited Kyiv on the day Valeriy Zaluzhnyi resigned.

  • Bundeswehr generals secretly visited Kyiv on the day of Zaluzhny’s resignation – Bild

    Bundeswehr generals secretly visited Kyiv on the day of Zaluzhny’s resignation – Bild

    The participants in the meeting in Kyiv discussed urgent supplies of weapons and ammunition.

    The German military arrived in Ukraine to exchange views with their counterparts on the day of the resignation of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny. This was reported by Bild.

    The publication informs that the military were seen in a hotel in the capital of Ukraine. In a request to the publication, the German Ministry of Defence confirmed that the Bundeswehr Inspector General, General Carsten Breyer, had indeed paid a visit to Kyiv. According to a spokeswoman for the ministry, they were invited by Zaluzhnyi, who was still the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

    The report says that the participants of the meeting discussed urgent supplies of weapons and ammunition. The purpose of the talks in Kyiv was to “further exchange information on current defence needs and future military challenges,” according to a defence ministry spokeswoman.

    Ukraine urgently needs help. Ukrainian defenders, especially in the east of the country, are under pressure due to massive shelling by the Russian occupiers.

    At the same time, presumptive US presidential candidate Donald Trump is actually blocking support for Ukraine by his actions, according to the report. His Republicans in the US Senate have rejected a $118 billion (about €110 billion) legislative package that would have provided major support for Ukraine.

    Ukrainians are now in talks with Germany, in particular on a security partnership. It is quite possible that the visit of the Bundeswehr generals will now add even more momentum to this issue.

    Zaluzhnyi’s resignation

    At the end of January, social media began to spread information that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had allegedly signed a decree on the resignation of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi. This information was not confirmed.

    On 2 February, National Security and Defence Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov commented on the situation regarding Zaluzhny’s possible dismissal. He told Ukrainian Radio that there was no document on the resignation of the commander-in-chief.

    The decree dismissing Valeriy Zaluzhnyi from the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was published on the evening of 8 February on the official website of the Presidential Office. At the same time, decrees were published dismissing Oleksandr Syrskyi from the post of Commander of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and appointing him as the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

    Valeriy Zaluzhnyi biography

    General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi was born in 1973 in Zvyagel, Zhytomyr region, to a career officer. He graduated from a local technical school with a degree in applied mechanics. He entered the Odesa Institute of Land Forces, graduating in 1997 with the rank of officer. Zaluzhnyi’s university degree was dedicated to the structure of the US Army.

    Valerii Fedorovych was in charge of the 51st Separate Mechanised Brigade, which was stationed in Volyn. He was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on 27 July 2021.

    During the full-scale invasion, the general did not communicate with the press very often. He did publish some policy materials. In an article for The Economist, he warned of the risks of a positional war.

    The military man stressed the lack of opportunities for a quick breakthrough, as the parties did not have the necessary means to do so. In addition, he noted that the West was late in transferring a number of weapons, and the Ukrainian side needed to modernise organisational processes related to the army.

    Valeriy Zaluzhnyi

    In February 2024, Zaluzhnyi wrote an article for CNN in which he shared his vision of the war strategy for 2024. According to him, the strategy should be based on technological progress, require equipping Ukrainian troops with high-tech weapons, and the Armed Forces should “abandon stereotypical thinking”.

    As a reminder, on the outskirts of Kyiv, the terrorist defence fighters shot down a Shahed using an AK-74 rifle.